#this track and Steve Conte's ''stray''

[psalmsofpsychosis]

Where's your heaven? The back fields and the rolling winds, my venom Can't touch your skin without leaving scars, scars And your body rocks from side to side You're still on my mind

And here's to nothing Just the touch of your skin could be enough But you're not here Are you sleeping, are you sleeping at all? Have we said it all?

Will you hunt me down? Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it Will you hunt me down? Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it

What am I missing Your concrete thoughts and your liquid sense of vision Won't you stay awhile and paint me right on you Won't you stay awhile and paint me something new Have we said it all?

Will you hunt me down? Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it Will you hunt me down? Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it Maybe you're a bad idea but I'm loving every minute of it

Oh did you get it right, take a little time Did you fight, did you wait awhile And did you get your freedom?

Whoa, did you get it right, take a little time Did you fight, did you wait awhile And did you get your freedom?

[21amrit]

What was the first rock song you ever listened to?

For me, it was 'Stray' by Steve Conte an alternative rock track from the anime Wolf’s Rain. I was in third grade and didn’t fully understand the lyrics back then but something about the sound really stuck with me. After a while, the show stopped airing on TV and I lost track of the song. Years later, once I had access to the internet, I searched for it using the few lyrics I could remember. Eventually, I found it and relived the memories.

I'm asking about this specific genre because it played a big part in my childhood alongside Metal and Conscious Rap. However, I don’t really listen to these genres anymore or count them among my favourites. Actually I never really had a favourite genre. I just happened to listen these genres most at that time. Now, I rarely listen to music so, I’m completely out of the loop when it comes to the music, all I see is wild genres I’ve never even heard of before.

[tsukiprickly]

Opening «Wolf's Rain»

Track — Steve Conte «Stray»

[lastarpeggios]

For some reason I was reminded again of a ‘top ... favorite anime openings’ video I made when I must’ve been about 16 years old. I put together a playlist of what what I think were 37 opening tracks by downloading youtube videos (and sometimes whole episodes) and then cutting clips from the opening for my video. I put a lot of effort into it, getting the audio in sync with the video, ... I think it took me a couple of days to get a result I was content with. The video was flagged right away, of course. I don’t think it was taken down, but I don’t think I’ll find it again.

I remembered that I put Lilium (Elfen Lied) in the 2nd spot. But for a while just now I could not remember for the life of me which song I put first. 

So I went back to my old animelist, and found it again. I played it and relived some of my teenage spirit.

Looking at my anime list, I can guess what my top 10 probably looked like at the time. I think I made this around 2010? It was definitely before Attack on Titan. 

Monoral - Kiri (Ergo Proxy) (If you’re not shouting along with the chorus then you’re not really living)

Kumiko Noma - Lilium (Elfen lied)

Oasis - Falling Down (Higashi no Eden)

Abnormalize - Ling Tosite Shigure (Psycho Pass) (Actually I cannot remember if this was in my list because it might have aired after I made it? It’s definitely not as old as most of the other anime in here.)

Hyde - Season’s Call (Blood +)

Bana - Shell (Witch Hunter Robin)

Kokia - Karma (Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom)

L’Arc en Ciel - Daybreak’s Bell (Gundam 00)

The Light Before we Land - The Delgados (Gunslinger Girl)

Kuniaki Haishima - Grain (Monster)

Boa - Duvet (Serial Experiments Lain)

Steve Conte - Stray (Wolf’s Rain)

Jacques Burnel - We Were Lovers (Gankutsuou)

Nightmare -The World (Death Note)

What’s up, People?  - Maximum the Hormone (Death Note)

Yui - Again (Full Metal Alchemist)

Ally Kerr - The Sore Feet Song (Mushishi) 

SPYAIR – Just One Life (Samurai Flamenco)

Juno Reactor - Guardian Angel (Texhnolyze) (I’m definitely cheating now because this song did not rate this high.)

Two-Mix - Just Communication (Gundam Wing)

Two-Mix - Rhythm Emotion (Gundam Wing)

Inori You Raise me Up - Lena Park (Romeo X Juliet) (Do not judge. Also, I’m 99% I ranked this much higher in my actual list.)

Yoko Kanno - Tank! (Cowboy Bebop)

Beat Crusaders - Hit in the USA (Beck)

Elisa - Euphoric Field (EF - a tale of memories)

Ono Daisuke - Key (Shinrei Tantei Yakumo)

Ritsuko Okazaki - For Fruits Basket (Fruits Basket)

SID - Ranbu no Melody (Bleach) 

Miho Fujiwara - Florescence (Kanon)

One of the openings from Hell Girl, but I cannot remember which one it was.

ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D - In My World (Ao no Exorcist)

Ayaka - Last Regrets (Kanon 2006)

Okazaki Ritsuko - Morning Grace (Princess Tutu)

Uragiri No Yuuyake - Theatre Brook (Durarara!!)

Yosuke Sakanoue - Super Drive (Gravitation) (Yes this was in the list.)

Shuntaro Okino - Cloud Age Symphony (Last Exile)

Tori no Uta - Lia (Air tv) (I specifically remember this being the last song in the list)

[sj4iy]

Anime: My Favorite Anime OP/ED Songs From the 00s

Time to continue my personal track through memory lane. This decade is going to be longer than the previous one simply because I was a college student who was studying Japanese and even lived in Japan during this time. This list will also have some pretty obscure anime by today’s standards, as well as series that I didn’t like but I loved the songs for. Again, this is in no particular order, and it can contain any opening or ending songs from a single series (unless the series was broken up). Let’s begin!

1. Gundam Seed “Anna ni isshou datta no ni” (あんなに一緒だったのに) by See-Saw (2002)

This song was such a huge hit in Japan at the time, even without the anime. The series itself was pretty good but this ending made it all the better.

2. Gundam Seed Destiny “Bokutachi no yukue” (僕たちの行方) by Hitomi Takahashi (2005)

This was obviously a follow up season to Gundam Seed, but I’m counting it separately here. I loved this series and this song as well, even though the protagonist of the Gundam Seed series got on my last nerve (as many Gundam protagonists tend to do sometimes). Still, amazing song.

3. Wolf’s Rain “Stray” by Steve Conte (2003)

This was such a beautifully written series. But even though both the opening and the ending really gave it a different feel to most anime, the opening song was the one that really stuck with me. For one, an English song written and sung by an English artist is pretty rare in anime, but it fit the series so perfectly I couldn’t have imagined anything else.

4. Fullmetal Alchemist “Melissa” by Porno Graffitti (2004)

Yes, I’m old enough to have watched this series when it first came out while I was in college. I even remember singing this song with a friend in karaoke. There’s just something about this upbeat but slightly melancholic song that really fits this series. Even though I eventually loved Brotherhood more, none of the amazing songs can replace Melissa for me.

5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood “Golden Time Lover” by Sukima Switch (2009)

I know that some people might think I’m crazy for not picking “Again”, but...I just like this song way more. I love the beat, the lyrics, and the animation that goes with it. It’s a perfect “middle of the road” song for a series like Brotherhood. “Rain” is a really close second (I even translated the lyrics on this very site and others), but this says “Brotherhood” to me.

6. Fruits Basket “For Fruits Basket” (For フルーツバスケット) by Ritsuko Okazaki (2001)

This was another series that I fell in love with while I was in Japan. The opening theme song sounds like she almost whispered it, but it works for the series at that time. So unassuming, like most people who walk into the series...only to be hit by the feels over and over again. Great series, great song.

7. Scrapped Princess “Daichi no la-li-la” Yoko Ueno / Masumi Ito (2003)

This is a series that I doubt many people remember, but it was one that I loved when I was living in Japan. Pretty different to most series I’ve ever watched, and the ending song is almost like something out of a renassaince fair...but matched perfectly to the strange blend of genres in the anime.

8. .hack//SIGN “Yasashii Yoake” (優しい夜明け) by See-Saw (2003)

I remember watching this series but I don’t remember much about it anymore. I do remember both the opening “Obsession” and the ending song...but I’ll give the nudge to the ending more than the opening. Definitely a good one.

9. Chrono Crusade “Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line” (翼はPleasure Line) by Minami Kurayabashi (2004)

Even though I had actually forgotten the anime itself until I looked it back up, I did remember this wonderful opening song. Very pretty, catchy and the lyrics are very well done. 

10. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu “Sore ga Ai Deshou” (それが、愛でしょう) by Mikuni Shimokawa (2003)

It’s probably a well known fact how much I love this series overall. I’ve translated light novels, I’ve watched all four seasons, I’ve even summarized an audio drama from this series. It’s easily one of my favorite series of all time. And if I had to pick a single theme song to cover the three FMP series that came out in the 00s, it’s this one. Fumoffu was a huge hit, it was (and still is) hilarious. And this theme song was perfect in every way. 

11. Hikaru no Go “Sincerely ~ever dream~” by Dream (2002)

Hikaru no Go had so many amazing opening and ending songs, but this is the song that I think really sums up the entire series itself, even if it is an ending song. The songs actually kind of ‘grow up’ with the protagonist of the series, reflecting what he’s gone through. Even though “Days” makes me tear up, I’m putting this song as my favorite.

12. Soul Eater “Bakusou Yumeuta” (爆走夢歌) by Diggy-MO’ (2009)

This was a pretty fun series overall that took me a little while to get into. I love the 3rd ending song because it’s also a fun song that’s way different than most anime theme songs...much like Soul Eater itself.

13. The Twelve Kingdoms “Getsumei-Fuuei” (月迷風影) by Mika Arisaka (2001)

This was a series that I loved so much that it hurt to never have a proper ending for. In many ways, it reminds me of Yona of the Dawn...including the theme songs. The opening theme song was orchestral and beautiful..but I prefer the ending theme song. It’s a waltz that makes it sound very much like a journey, which is how I’ll always remember this series.

14. Inuyasha “Fukai Mori” (深い森) by Do As Infinity (2001)

I loved this series, and I absolutely loved this band. This song is completely different from the other, more pop-like theme songs. It’s very dark, slow and beautiful. I will always associate Inuyasha with this song.

15. Naruto “Haruku Kanata” (遥か彼方) by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (2004)

Yes, I did watch some Naruto...no, I didn’t keep up with it. But I lived in Japan at the time it started, so of course I tried it out. I did really like this song, though. It’s also about the point where all of my knowledge of the series ended. 

16. Fate/stay night “disillusion” by Sachi Tainaka (2006)

I watched this so long ago that I couldn’t tell you what happened in it anymore...but the song stuck with me. Beautiful, haunting and melodic...hard to beat a theme song like that.

17. Bleach “*~Asterisk~” (＊～アスタリスク～ Asutarisuku) by Orange Range (2005)

Ah, Bleach. Another shounen series ruined by never quitting. Just like Naruto, I started watching this series when it came out. Also just like Naruto, I dropped it pretty quickly when I realized it was never going to end. There’s a reason you don’t see these series (especially One Piece) on my lists...I don’t like series without constant character or plot development. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the songs...such as this one. I remember it well, even if I’ve forgotten most of what I knew about Bleach.

----

This is the end of this list...I’ll be back soon for my 10s list soon.

Previous: 

My Favorite Anime OPs/EDs from the 90s

Next:

My Favorite Anime OPs/EDs from the 10s

[salrai]

Rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist and post the first ten tracks, then tag ten people 🎶

Tagged by @corvidcrybaby 💜

don’t judge me

1. Shadows Withal - FFXIV Shadowbringers (Soken)

2. Into the Ocean - Blue October

3. Love Like You - Steven Universe (Rebecca Sugar)

4. Everything Goes On - Porter Robinson (League of Legends)

5. Sail - AWOLNATION

6. Enemy - Imagine Dragons (Arcane)

7. Valentine’s Day - Linkin Park

8. Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace

9. Hibari - ASCA (El-Melloi Case Files end credit theme)

10. Stray - Steve Conte (Wolf’s Rain opening theme)

actually got a pretty interesting spread, totally expected 10 ffxiv songs lmao. not taggin anyone but you can steal if you want (also several of these songs are here for nostalgia)

[dizzygradespells]

I was tagged to do this music thing by @swiftbell

Rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist and post the first 10 tracks, then list 10 songs you really like, each by a different artist. then tag 10 people to do the same thing.

Repeat playlist:

To The Sky - Owl City

Stray - Steve Conte

Into the Unknown - NateWantsToBattle (Nathan Sharp)

Grainne Mhaol, Queen of the Pirates - Miracle of sound

The Other Side - Hugh Jackman & Zack Efron

Same Old Forest - NateWantsToBattle (Nathan Sharp)

Style - Kana Nishino

Unaligned - NateWantsToBattle (Nathan Sharp)

Hoist Up The Thing - The Longest Johns

Nightmares Never End - JT Music

Likes playlist:

Drowning - NateWantsToBattle (Nathan Sharp)

Best for Last - JT Music

Manhunt - Derivakat & Cartian

Ocean Blue - CG5

Hear Me Roar - NerdOut

Simple and Clean - Utada Hikaru

The Last Guardian - Dan Bull

Into the Wild - Miracle of Sound

A Little Heart - The Stupendium

The Life of a Bard - Cami-Cat

I tag... Everyone?? It's supposed to be 10 people, but I only know 2 and one tagged me in this while the other got tagged above.

I was tagged to do this music thing by @indigoire!

Rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist and post the first 10 tracks, then list 10 songs you really like, each by a different artist. then tag 10 people to do the same thing

Repeat playlist:

Hell's Coming With Me - Poor Man's Poison

I'm Good (Blue) - David Guetta, Bebe Rexha

World's Collide - League of Legends, Nicki Taylor

In the End - Black Veil Brides

Alejandro - Lady Gaga

Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine

POP/STARS - K/DA

Handclap - Fitz and The Tantrums

Hey Alice - Rachel Rose Mitchell

Feast or Famine - StarKid Productions

Likes playlist:

Empires - The Electric Swing Circus

Follow You - Bring Me The Horizon

Guns for Hire - Woodkid, Arcane: League of Legends

U - Millennium Parade, Belle

Lent - Autoheart

I'd Rather Burn - Blackbriar

Until the Day I Die - Story of the Year

Radioactive - MARINA

Sinners - Barns Courtney

This is Gospel - Panic! at the Disco I tag: @protectoroffaeries, @ronqueballe, @chloe-elizabeth-price, @dizzygradespells, @lilythepurple, @gay-grandma, @p3sverigesradio, @niwwwi, @ghibllionaire, and @firedrakegirl!

[vinyl-bubblegum]

[Quick Lists] 2017 Favorites

Finally, after a couple years of being supremely late, I finally get a year-end wrap-up out in a timely manner. Hooray! As with last year I’ve included a category for album tracks instead of full albums, because for a variety of reasons, I didn’t listen to as many releases as I would’ve liked and just didn’t get deeply into those that I did. Hopefully 2018 will be better in that regard. Also, I’ve again included a couple artists/songs that I got into or explored more deeply in the discoveries category. So, in particular order:

Discoveries (Kind Of): Steve Conte – Stray Fastball Four Tops

Singles: Paramore – Hard Times  BoA – Camo  Niall Horan – Slow Hands  Paramore – Told You So  Franz Ferdinand – Always Ascending  The Killers – The Man  Selena Gomez – Bad Liar  TLC – Way Back  TLC – It’s Sunny  Patrick Stump - Who’s the (Bat)Man 

Album Tracks: Sparks – I Wish You Were Fun  Manuela – Cracks in the Concrete (though it was released as single in 2016)  Taylor Swift – Delicate  Dropkick Murphys – The Lonesome Boatman